Proofing control system for a multiple couple printing press



United States Patent Inventors Robert A. Bulk Seven Hills, Ohio Louis P. Toth, Broadview Heights, Ohio Appl. No. 683,380 Filed Nov. 15, I967 Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 461,795, J V Patented Sept. 8, I970 Assignee flarrihlntertype Corporation Cleveland, Ohio, a Corporation of Delaware PROOFING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MULTIPLE COUPLE PRINTING PRESS 7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

11.8. C1 101/137, 101/184 Int. Cl. B411 7/06, B4lf7/18, 1341f 13/40 Field ofSearch 101/137,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1951 Epstein 101/172(UX) 6/1964 Chambon l01/247X l/l965 Klauss 101/184 7/1965 Charlwood et al..... 101/184 2/1967 Lawrence et al. 101/182 FOREIGN PATENTS 1/1963 Great Britain 101/235 Primary Examiner- Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner--J. Reed Fisher ABSTRACT: The present invention relates to a multiunit Attorney-Yount, Flynn and Tarolli printing press having a plurality of printing units through which material to be printed travels in sequence, and in particular, to a multiunit printing press controlled by an information carrying member having instructions thereon for controlling the operation of printing units between their print and nonprint position and preferably also for controlling a delivery mechanism to deliver sheets to an inspection station.

Patented Sept. 8, 1970 Sheet 1 of 7 INVENTORS ROBERT A. BULK LOUIS .P TOTH WWMM ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 8, 1970 Sheet Z' of 7 ROBERT A. BULK LOUIS P. TOTH ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 8, 1970 Sheet dmk.

/ INVENTORS ROBERT A. BULK BY LOUIS P. TOTH Patented Sept. 8, 1970 H 3,527,164

LOU/S P. TOT'H Patented Sept. 8, 1910 3,527,164

Sheet 6 of 7 2 a 4 5 e 7 a 9 Lormou [OFFION IOFFION IOFFEON I FIG6 FIG 8 INVENTORS ROBERT A. BULK LOU/S '1? TOTH ATTORWE Y8 Patented Sept. 8, 1970 r 3,52%164 Sheet 7 of 7 CARD READER sooa CARD READER' EOOb L 621a. INDEX 521:, 6

INDEX G ATES GATES COUNTER COUNTER J J 05 5 b 5040 I 504a RELAYS v 5.20

RE8ET 5/5 I 56 FIG .9

INVENTORS ROBERT A. BULK LOU/6 R TOTH M? MJM PROOFING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MULTIPLE COUPLE PRINTING PRESS This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 46l,795, filed June 7, 1965, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,461,798.

When printing material sequentially in a plurality of printing units arranged in tandem, such as when printing a plurality of colors, it is desirable to be able to print various selected combinations of colors on the material. This provides proofs of each color and image and desired combinations thereof. In order to print such proofs, multiunit printing presses have been constructed so that the printing units may be rendered inoperative to print on sheet material as desired. However, known systems of proofing involve excessive loss of sheets and time.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved multiunit printing press wherein proofs of the image being printed at each printing unit and preferably proofs of an image resulting from printing by various combinations of printing may be made in a minimum amount of time and with a minimum effort.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved multiunit printing press wherein the units of the printing press may be selectively rendered inoperative so that material traveling therethrough may be printed only in the individual printing units desired thereby, providing proofs of the image to be printed by each unit, wherein the proofs may be used by the plate maker for correcting the plates or in subsequent set-ups of the particular job being printed.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and novel control unit for a multiunit printing press, the control unit being operable to automatically effect a preset proofing sequence of the press.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved control system for a multiunit printing press such that a desired proofing pattern may be coded on an information carrying member which may then be used to effect operation of the press in accordance with the information member to automatically print the desired proof.

Another object of the present invention is the embodiment of an automatic control means in a multiunit printing press, whereby the operator need only activate an information carrying member to automatically proof the press and deliver sheets to the operator's station so that the operator may view them for inspection.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a multi-color printing press embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a mechanism for operating various ones of the printing units of the press of FIG. 1, between printing and non-printing conditions;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the parts of FIG. 2 in a different operative position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of control mechanism for actuating one of the printing units between its printing and non-printing condition;

FIGS. 5 and 5A are a schematic circuit diagram illustrating electric circuitry utilized in the press of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an information member for controlling the printing press of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a tape reader utilized in the printing press of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a sheet delivery control cam and its control mechanism; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified control for the press of FIG. I.

The present invention provides an improved control system for a multi-unit printing press having a plurality of printing units arranged in tandem and through which sheet-like material travels in sequence, and wherein printing cylinders of each of the printing units are operable to print the material as it travels therethrough and wherein one of the printing cylinders of each unit is movable to a thrown-off position relative to another so as to render that particular printing unit inopera' tive to print on the material as it travels through the press. By throwing off the printing cylinders of the printing units, it is possible to obtain proofs of the image printed in each unit, as well as the image provided by printing in a combination of the units.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been embodied in a multicolor printing press 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. The multicolor printing press 10 is a four-color lithographic printing press and includes four printing units 1l-14 arranged in tandem and through which sheets are fed in sequence to be printed. The printing units are similar in construction and each of the printing units 1l14 includes a plate-cylinder 15, a blanket cylinder 16, and an impression cylinder 17. Each of the printing units 11-14 also includes an inker mechanism 18 and a dampening mechanism 19, all of which are conventional and well known in the printing art.

The sheets to be printed are fed from a supply 20 by a suitable sheet-feeding mechanism down the feedboard 21 and into the first printing unit 11. Each sheet is gripped by gripper fingers on the impression cylinder 17 and is carried thereby between the blanket cylinder 16 and the impression cylinder 17. As the sheet travels between the blanket cylinder 16 and the impression cylinder 17, it is printed with a first color. The sheet is then transferred from the impression cylinder 17 to a double-size transfer cylinder 22 and to the printing unit 12. The sheet is printed in the printing unit 12 with a second color as it travels therethrough and is transferred from the printing unit 12 to a suitable chain transfer mechanism 23.

The transfer mechanism 23 transfers the sheet from the printing unit 12 to the printing unit 13, and the sheet is printed with a third color in the printing unit 13 and is then transferred from the impression cylinder 17 of the printing unit 13 to the transfer cylinder 24 which transfers the sheet from the printing unit 13 to the printing unit 14 where the sheet is printed with a fourth color. The sheet is then transferred to a suitable delivery mechanism, generally designated 25, located to receive the sheets from the last printing unit in line, namely, the printing unit 14.

The delivery mechanism 25 includes a chain member 26 which is trained around a transfer cylinder 27 and a sprocket 28 and which carries grippers, not shown, to receive the sheets from the impression cylinder 17 of the printing unit 14. The sheets are carried by the chain member 26 to a delivery station, generally designated 29, at which the sheets are released by the gripper assemblies on the chain 26 and dropped onto a pile, designated 30. The delivery mechanism also includes end gate members 31 which engage the leading edge of the pile and which are movable to the dot-dash position shown in FIG. 1 so that a sheet may be removed from the pile for inspection purposes. Moreover, as is well known, the sheets are delivered to the delivery mechanism with the printed side up and an operator at the delivery station may view the sheets and the printed matter on the sheets by looking down at the sheets as they are released at the delivery station 29. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, sheets may also be I delivered to an operators station P at the rearward end of the delivery mechanism.

The blanket cylinders 16 of each of the printing units 11- 14 of the printing press 10, as is conventional are movable from the printing position in which they are shown in full lines in FIG. 1 to a non-printing position or thrown-off position in which they are shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. The blanket cylinders 16 when in full-line position shown in FIG. 1 are in a pressure relationship with their respective impression cylinders 17 and effect printing of the sheet as the sheet is fed therebetween. When the blanket cylinders move to their dotted position shown in FIG. 1, the blanket cylinder is in a non-printing and non-pressure relationship with its respective impression cylinder 17 and if a sheet is fed through the printing units, no printing would occur in a printing unit in which the blanket cylinder is in its thrown-off position.

Each of the printing units 1114 includes a mechanism for moving the blanket cylinder thereof to its thrown off or nonprinting position, and the mechanism for moving the blanket cylinders of the printing units 11, 12 is generally similar to the mechanism for moving the blanket cylinders of printing units 13, 14 to their thrown-off position. Therefore, the mechanism for moving the blanket cylinders of the printing units 1 1, 12 to their throw-off position will be described herein in detail and it is to be understood that the mechanism for moving the blanket cylinders of the printing units 13, 14 is identical to that described in connection with the printing units 11, 12 with the exceptions which will be noted hereinbelow.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the mechanism for moving the blanket cylinder 16 of the unit 11 to its thrown-off position or its dotted-line position shown in FIG. 1 is generally designated 40. The mechanism 40 includes an eccentric 41 which encircles the shaft 42 of the blanket cylinder 16. The eccentric 41 includes a projecting lug portion 43. It should be apparent that upon rotation of the eccentric 41 relative to the shaft 42, the cylinder 16 will be moved between its printing and non-printing positions, illustrated in full and dotted lines in FIG. 1. The eccentric 41 is rotated upon movement of a rod member 45 which is pivotally connected to the lug portion 43 of the eccentric 41 and is pivotally connected to a block member 46. The block member 46 is pivotally connected to the frame of the printing unit 11 by a pivot pin 47 and is movable about the pivot pin 47 to effect movement of the rod 45 and thus rotation of the eccentric 41.

The block 46 is moved about the pivot pin 47 by a reciprocating plunger member 48. The reciprocating plunger member 48 includes a lug 49 and a lug 50 projecting from opposite sides thereof. The block 46 has projecting pin members 51, 52 located on the opposite sides thereof to cooperate with the lug portions 49 and 50, respectively, of the plunger 48. The plunger member 48 is continuously oscillated during the operation of the printing press in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 by means of a linkage mechanism which includes a bell crank member 55 connected thereto and which is supported for rotation about the axis of the pivot pin 56 and which is pivotally connected to a link member 57. The link member 57 is, in turn, connected to a bell crank 58. The bell crank 58 is pivotal about the axis ofa pivot pin 59 by means of a cam member 60 which makes one complete rotation for each rotation ofthe impression cylinder 17.

From the above description, it should be apparent that upon rotation of the cam 60, the bell crank 58 will be rotated causing the link member 57 to be reciprocated and causing the bell crank 55 to likewise be rotated about the pivot pin 56, causing movement or oscillation of the plunger member 48 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2. From the above, it should also be apparent that if the plunger member 48 is in position so that lug 49 thereof engages the pin member 51 carried by the block member 46 upon oscillation thereof, the blanket cylinder 16 will be moved to its thrown-on position or to its printing position. These parts are shown in their thrownon position in FIG. 3. If the plunger member 48 is in position to engage the pin member 52, it will effect movement of the block member 46 in the reverse direction, and the blanket cylinder 16 will be moved to its thrown-off position. The thrown-off position of the parts is shown in FIG. 2. The plunger 48, once it has moved the block member 46, will, of course, continue to oscillate. However, it will not effect any movement of the block member.

The printing unit 11 includes means for actuating the mechanism 40 for moving the blanket cylinder 16 between its positions. The mechanism for actuating the mechanism 40 to effect movement ofthe blanket cylinder 16 includes means for moving the plunger member 48 between its positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Specifically, the means for moving the plunger member between these positions includes a rod member 65 which, when moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2, will cause movement of the plunger member from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3. When the plunger member 48 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 3, it will upon oscillation thereof effect movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11 into its thrownon position for effecting printing of the sheet material being conveyed between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder 17.

Movement of the rod member 65 in the direction opposite the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 will cause movement of the plunger member 48 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 2 and when the plunger member 48 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 2, the lug portion 50 of the plunger member 48 engages the pin member 52 on the block member 46 and effects movement of the blanket cylinder 16 to its thrown-off position.

With the plunger member 48 in the position shown in FIG. 2, the rod member 65 may be moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 to actuate the mechanism 40 for throwing on the blanket cylinder 16 by manual actuation ofa handle 70. Actuation of the handle in a downward direction, as viewed in FIG. 2 causes movement of a link member 71 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2. When the link member 71 moves in the counter-clockwise direction, a rod member 72, to which it is connected, is moved downwardly. The rod member 72 is pivotally connected to the link member 71 and is moved downwardly in response to movement of the link member 71. A block member 73 is carried by the rod member 72 and is likewise moved downwardly when the rod member 72 is moved downwardly. A suitable spring encircles the rod member 72 and at one end engages the block 73 and at the other end engages a collar member 75 on the rod member 72.

The block member 73 is connected with a bell crank arm 75a which is supported for pivotal movement about the axis of a pivot pin 76. When the bell crank arm member 75a moves downwardly, with the block 73, the leg member 75b of the bell crank moves in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2, When the bell crank member 75b moves in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2, it moves a block 77 which is slidably supported on the rod 65 to the left in the direction of the arrow, as shown in FIG. 2. Movement of the block 77 to the left, as shown in FIG. 2, causes compression ofa spring 78 which is interposed between the block 77 and a collar member 79 fixedly secured on the rod member 65. The compression of the spring 78 effects movement of the rod member 65 in the direction of the arrow to move the plunger member 48 to its position to move the cylinder 16 into its thrown-on position. The movement of the plunger member 48 is such that it clears the pin member 51 so that the lug portion 49 thereof engages the pin member 51 on the next oscillation thereof.

From the above, it can be seen that with the parts in the thrown-off position shown in Fig. 2 upon depression of the handle 70, the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11 is moved to its thrown-on position in pressure relationship with the impression cylinder 17. The handle member 70 is latched in its actuated position by a suitable latch mechanism, not shown, to hold the plunger member 48 in the position shown in FIG. 3 so that the blanket cylinder 16 remains in its thrownon position. Release of this latch mechanism, causes the springs 74 and 78 to effect movement of the rod 65 and plunger 48 to its off position. The spring 78 causes the block 77 to engage a stop 770 on the rod member 65 to effect this throw-off movement. The absence of a sheet is sensed, as is conventional, and in response to this sensing the latch mechanism is released to effect throw-off of the printing cylinders. Moreover, depression of the handle 70, as described hereinabove to effect throw-on movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11 also effects actuation of a limit switch 80 through a suitable switch actuating mechanism 81. Actuation of the limit switch 80 causes the printing press to begin running at full press speed and this switch will be described in relation to the present invention in greater detail hereinbelow.

The rod member 65 may also be moved in either direction 'in order to effect throw on and throw off of the blanket cylinder 16 by an operator manually engaging a handle 86 which is connected with a block member 87 fixedly connected to the rod member 65. In the event that the plunger member 48 is in its thrown-off position, as shown in FIG. 2, the rod member 65 may be moved in the direction of the arrow by the actuation of the handle 86, shown in FIG. 2, to move the plunger member 48 to its on position, shown in FIG. 3, to ef fect throw-on movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11. An operator may manually engage the handle 86 to move the rod member 65 in a direction opposite that indicated by the arrow to effect movement of the plunger member 48 to its off position to effect movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11 to its thrown-off position.

The printing unit 12 also includes a mechanism 90 for moving the blanket cylinder 16 between its printing and nonprinting positions in pressure relationship with the impression cylinder 17 and out of pressure relationship with the impression cylinder 17 of the printing unit 12. The mechanism 90 for moving the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 12 between its printing and non-printing positions is similar to the mechanism described hereinabove in connection with the printing unit 11. The mechanism 90 for moving the blanket cylinder between its positions includes an eccentric 91 operatively connected with the blanket cylinder 16 and when rotated is operable to effect movement of the blanket cylinder 16 between its printing and nonprinting positions, shown in full and dotted lines in FIG. 1. The eccentric 91 has a lug portion 92 to which one end of a rod member 93 is pivotally connected. The other end of the rod member 93 is pivotally connected to a block member 94. The block member 94 has a pin member 95 and a pin member 96 projecting from opposite portions thereof and is pivotally supported for pivotal movement about the axis of a pivot pin 94a. The block member 94 when pivoted about its pivot axis effects rotation of the eccentric 91 which, in turn, effects movement of the blanket cylinder between its positions.

The block member 94 is moved about the axis of pivot pin 94a by means of a plunger member 97 which oscillates in a vertical direction, as indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 2. The plunger member 97 has oppositely projecting lug portions for engaging the pin members 95, 96 to effect movement of the block member 94 about the pivot axis 94a, in the same manner as the plunger member 48 which is operable in connection with the printing unit 11. The plunger member 97 is pivotally connected to one leg ofa bell crank member 98 by a pin member 99. The bell crank member 98 is pivotally supported for rotation about the axis ofa pivot pin 100. The other leg of the bell crank member 98 is pivotally connected with a reciprocating link member 101 which is, in turn, connected with a bell crank member 102 which is supported for pivotal movement about the axis of a pivot pin 103. The bell crank member 102 has a cam follower 105 which runs in engagement with a cam 104 which is fixed for rotation upon rotation of the impression cylinder 17 of the printing unit 12. From the above description, it should be apparent that upon rotation of the impression cylinder 17 of the printing unit 12, the bell crank member 102 is rocked about the axis of the pivot pin 103 causing reciprocatory movement of the link member 101 which, in turn, causes rocking movement of the bell crank 98 about the axis of the pivot pin 100. This rocking movement of the bell crank 98 effects reciprocatory movement of the plunger member 97 and the plunger member 97 will effect movement of the block member 94, depending upon the relative positions thereof.

The printing press includes a means interconnecting the mechanism 40 for moving the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11 into and out of printing position and the mechanism 90 for moving the blanket cylinder 16 ofthe printing unit 12 into and out of printing position. This interconnecting means is generally designated 110 in the drawings and is operable to effect actuation of the mechanism 90 for moving the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 12 to a thrownon or thrown-off position in timed relation and, specifically in response to and in sequence with movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11 to its thrown-off position. The mechanism 110 is thus operable to actuate the mechanism to effect movement of the blanket cylinder of the second printing unit in response to movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the first printing unit to its non-printing position.

The mechanism includes a link member 110a pivotally connected to the block member 46 of the mechanism 40. The link member 110a is connected with a rod member 111. The rod member 111 has an actuating block member 112 slidably supported thereon between spring members 113 and 114. The spring member 113 engages the block member 112 and engages a portion of the link member 110a. The spring member 114 also engages a portion of the block 112 opposite the portion engaged by the spring member 113 and engages a stop member 115 fixedly connected to the rod 111. The block member 112 is pivotally connected to a plunger member 120. The plunger member is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank member 122 by a pivot pin 122a and is oscillated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 by a bell crank mechanism 122. The other arm of the bell crank member 122 carries a cam follower 123 which runs in engagement with a cam 124 carried by the shaft of the transfer cylinder 22 and upon rotation of the transfer cylinder 22, causes oscillation of the plunger member in the direction of the arrow, as should be apparent. The cam member 124 has two raised portions to effect oscillation of the plunger member 120 once for each sheet carried by the transfer cylinder 22. The two cam portions are provided because the transfer cylinder 22 is a double-size transfer cylinder and, therefore, the plunger 120 operates twice for each revolution of the transfer cylinder 22.

The plunger member 120 cooperates with a block member in a manner similar to the manner in which the plunger member 48 cooperates with the block 46, as described hereinabove. The block member 130 carries space pin members 131, 132 and is pivotally connected for pivotal movement when the plunger member 120 and, specifically, when opposite lug portions thereof engage the pins 131, 132. The plunger member 120 has lug portions 133, 134 adapted to engage the pin members 131, 132, respectively, to effect pivoting movement of the block member 130. The plunger member 120 is in the position shown in FIG. 2 when the printing press is not in operation and the blanket cylinders of the printing units are in their nonprinting position. Upon clockwise movement of the block member 46, the block 112 will be moved vertically and the plunger member 120 will be moved vertically, as shown in FIG. 2, to the position shown in FIG. 3. When the block member 120 moves to the position shown in FIG. 3, it will on oscillation engage the pin member 131 and effect movement of the block member 130 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3.

Movement of the block member 130 to the position shown in FIG. 3 effects movement of a link member in a downward direction, as viewed in FIG. 2. Movement of the link 140 in a downward direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, causes downward movement of a rod member 141 which is connected with the link member 140. The rod member 141 carries a block member 142 in the same manner as the block member 112 is carried by the rod 111. The block member 142 is pivotally connected to one arm ofa bell crank member 143 which is pivotally supported for rotation relative to a pin member 103 about the axis thereof. The other arm of the bell crank member 143 is pivotally connected to a push rod 144. The push rod 144 is moved in the directions of the arrows shown in FIG. 2 upon movement of the block member 142 and effects movement of the plunger member 97 between its throw-on and throw-off positions upon movement thereof.

It can be seen from the above description that the mechanism 110 actuates throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 12 upon throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11. Moreover, it should be apparent that upon throw-on movement of the blanket cylinder 16, the mechanism of the printing unit 11, the mechanism 110, will effect throw-on movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 12. The operation of this mechanism should be clear from the description hereinabove. Assuming that the printing press is in its thrown-off position, and it is desired to throw on the blanket cylinders, as noted hereinabove, the plunger 48 will be moved to effect clockwise pivoting movement of the block member 46 about the axis of the pivot pin 47. This effects vertical movement of the link member 110a and vertical movement of the block 112, as shown in FIG. 2. The plunger member 120 is thus moved from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3 and causes lowering movement of the link 140 and the rod 141 which causes lowering movement of the block 142. Lowering of the block 142 effects movement of the push rod 144 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 so as to move the plunger member 97 to the position shown in FIG. 3, which is the throw-n position of the printing unit. In the event that the plunger 48 is moved to its thrown-off position from its thrown-on position, the link member 110 is lowered causing lowering movement of the block member 112, which, in turn, causes lowering movement of the plunger member 120. When the plunger member 120 is lowered from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2, the lug member 134 thereof engages the pin 132 and effects pivoting movement of the block 130 in a clockwise direction. When the block member 130 is pivoted in this manner, it raises the member 140 and causes raising movement of the block member 142, causing pivoting movement of the bell crank 143 in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of the pivot pin 103 and causes movement of the push rod 144 in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow to mov e the plunger member 97 out of engagement with the pin 95 so as to engage the pin 96 on the next veritcal movement thereof to effect throw-off movement ofthe blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 12.

The blanket cylinders 16 of the third and fourth printing units 13, 14 of the printing press are similarly constructed so as to be moved between their thrown-on and thrown-off positions, shown in full and dotted lines in FIG. 1, by a structure which is generally similar to the structure described hereinabove in connection with the printing units 11, 12. In view of the fact that the structure is similar, the mechanism used in conjunction with the printing units 13, 14 will not be described in detail. There are, however, some differences, and the main difference is in the mechanism for throwing on the printing units when the printing press is initially started and throwing off the printing units when the absence of a sheet is sensed.

As described hereinabove, when the printing press is ini tially started, the handle 70 is depressed causing throw-on movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11 and in sequence therewith throw-on ofthe blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 12.The sheet is printed with a first color in the printing unit 11 and then is printed with the second color in the printing unit 12. The sheet is then transferred to the delivery mechanism 23 and is delivered to the printing unit 13 where it is to receive the next color. As the sheet is being transmitted to the printing unit 13, a photocell, designated 150 and shown in FIG. 1, senses the presence of the sheet and effects energization of a solenoid 151, shown in FIG. 4, and which is operable when energized to effect movement of the blanket cylinder 16 in the printing unit 13 to its printing position.

When the solenoid 151 is energized, it moves a link member 152 to the right, as shown in FIG. 4. Movement of the link member 152 to the right causes movement ofa toggle linkage, generally designated 153, from the dotted position shown in FIG. 4 to the full-line position shon n in FIG. 4. This movement of the toggle linkage 153 causes extension of the toggle linkage 153 and causes lowering movement ofa link member 155. The link member 155 is connected with one arm ofa bell crank mechanism 156. The other end of the bell crank mechanism 156 is connected with a block member 160 which is moved in the direction toward the left, as viewed in FIG. 4, when the solenoid 151 is energized. Movement of the block member 160 to the left, as shown in FIG. 4, effects thrown-on movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 13 in the same manner as the printing unit 11 is thrown on upon movement of the block 77, as described hereinabove. Throwon movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 13 is effected by a mechanism similar to that described hereinabove in connection with the printing unit 11. The throw-on movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 14 is effected in sequence and in response to throw-on movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 13 by a mechanism similar to that described hereinabove in connection with the printing units 11, 12.

The printing press 10, as is conventional and as noted hereinabove, is constructed so as to effect throw-off movement of the blanket cylinders of the printing units 11, 12, 13, and 14 in sequence when a sheet is not properly fed to the printing press. A suitable sheet detector is used for this purpose and which is not shown. The sheet detector is used in connection with the feeding mechanism for feeding the sheets to the first printing unit 11. In the event that the absence of a sheet is detected in advance of the printing unit 11, the sheet detector mechanism is operable to release the latch, described hereinabove, to hold the handle 70 in the thrown-on position and release of the latch effects movement of the handle 70 to its thrown-off position ancl, as described hereinabove, the blanket cylinder 16 of the first printing unit 11 is thereby moved to its thrown-off position. The blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 12 is then thrown off in sequence with the blanket cylinder 7 of the printing unit 11, as described hereinabove.

When the photocell detects the absence of a sheet being delivered to the printing unit 13, the solenoid 151 thereof is de-energized, and since the solenoid 151 is spring loaded to its off position, the toggle linkage 153 moves to the dotted position shown in FIG. 4. When the toggle linkage 153 moves to the dotted position shown in FIG. 4, the bell crank member 156 is moved so as to effect movement of the block member 160 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4, causing throwoff movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 13. The blanket cylinder 16 in the printing unit 14 is then thrown off in response to and in sequence with the throwing off movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 13, in a manner described hereinabove in connection with the printing units 11, 12.

In multicolor printing presses, as described hereinabove, it is desirable to print proofs of the image and color to be printed in each of the printing units. It is also desirable to print proofs of combinations of the colors to be printed in the various units. These proofs may be used to correct the plates in the event that the proofs show some defect therein. The proofs may also provide for and facilitate setup of the particular job for the next run, all of which is well understood in the printing art. For example, it would be desirable to print sheets with only the color and image to be printed in the printing unit 11, or 12, 13, 14. Moreover, it is desirable to print combinations of the colors to be printed in these printing units, such as for example, the combination of colors printed in printing units 13, 14. It has been found desirable to print all the combinations of colors which include one unit and then print all the combinations which include the next unit. For example, first printing in units 11, 12, then in 11, 13, then in ll, 14, then in 11, l2, l3 and so on, as desired. The printing of the combinations involving units 12, 13, 14 would then follow, as desired and required. It should be apparent from the above, that in order to print only the color and image in the printing unit 1 1, the printing units 12, 13 and 14 must be rendered inoperative and may be rendered inoperative and ineffective to print by movement of the blanket cylinders thereof to their thrown-off positions. When the blanket cylinder of any one of the printing units is moved to its thrown-off position and sheets are printed in another unit or units, ink from the inker mechanism and water from the dampener build up in the inker and dampener mechanism, thus rendering many sheets printed in this unit defective when it is thrown on. It is thus desirable to speed the printing of the proofs so that any one unit is not thrown off for too long a period of time causing an excessive build-up of ink and dampening solution.

The printing press is provided with a control means for effecting throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder of any one of the printing units independently of the other blanket cylinders of the other units. The control means is operable to selectively actuate different combinations of the mechanisms to cause the blanket cylinders of different combinations of the units to assume a non-printing position while other cylinders assume a printing position as sheets to be printed travel therethrough. The control means, in general, includes a power means connected with a source of power and the mechanisms for moving the blanket cylinders to their non-printing position. The power means is operable to actuate the mechanism 40 for moving the blanket cylinder of the first printing unit to its on position and rendering the interconnecting means 110 ineffective to throw off the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 12, as is its normal operation, as described hereinabove. Moreover, the power means provides for actuating the mechanism 90 for throwing off the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12 independently of throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11. Moreover, the control of printing units 13, 14 is effected in a similar manner so that any one of the blanket cylinders of any of the printing units may be thrown off without effecting throw-off of the other blanket cylinders, and thus any combination of blanket cylinders may be thrown off by the present mechanism in order to provide for printing of any combination of colors or for printing any individual color on sheets conveyed through the press.

The throw-off of the blanket cylinders by actuation of the control means, to be described hereinbelow, is effected without stopping operation of the press and without requiring the operator to move from the inspection or delivery station where the sheets which are being printed are delivered. The control means may be actuated from a control panel 160 shown in FlG. 1 and located at the delivery station or the operators station P. Duplicate control panels may be provided at each station if desired, or a manual control may be provided at one station or automatic and manual at the other. The controls are such that they may be used to actuate the control mechanism for throwing off any one of the blanket cylinders of any one of the printing units independently of movement of the blanket cylinders of the other printing units and, thereby effect printing of sheets with only one of the colors or any combination ofthe colors. For example, the controls may first be operated to provide a proof of the color and image being printed by the printing unit 14. In this case, the blanket cylinders of the printing units l1--13 are moved to their thrown-off position, and the sheets are run through the press and will be printed with only the image and color which is printed by the printing unit 14. After obtaining the desired number of proofs, the controls may then be actuated to throw off the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 14 and throw on the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 13 so that the press runs with the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 13 on only. He will then let the press run until the necessary sheets are printed. This may then be repeated with the printing units 11, 12 and thereby have a collection of sheets with only the color being printed in the individual printing units. Then combinations of colors which are being printed in the printing units, such as the combination of units 13, 14, may be made. In this case, the blanket cylinders of the printing units 14 and 13 may be thrown on and the blanket cylinders of the printing units 11 and 12 thrown off and sheets run until the desired sheets are printed. All combinations of colors may be printed in this manner until the necessary proofs are collected, either to be used for correction of the plates or which may be used in setting up the press for the next job, as is well understood in the printing art.

The specific control means for effecting the printing of the progressive proofs, as described hereinabove, is actuated from the control panel 160. The control panel has a plurality of control members, such as actuators for switches, equal in number to the number of printing units and generally designated 161, 162, 163, and 164. A so-called initiate proof"switch is also provided on the control panel 160. The switches 161, 162, 163, 164 may be operated in any predetermined sequence or together and each switch, when actuated, effects throw-off of only the blanket cylinder of the particular printing unit with which it is associated. The particular circuit in which these switches are located will be described in detail hereinbelow.

In general for present purposes, when the switches 161- 164 are actuated, solenoids are actuated which, in turn, actuate the control means for throwing off the blanket cylinders of the various printing units. The control means actuated by the switches for throwing off the blanket cylinders of the individual printing units l1, 12 is identical to that of the printing units 13, 14 and the specific structure of the throw-off mechanism for the printing units 11, 12 only will be described for this reason.

The control means for independently throwing on and throwing off the blanket cylinders of the printing units ll, 12 includes power means which, in the preferred embodiment, is in the form ofa pair of fluid motors 170, 171. The fluid motors 170, 171 are preferably air motors, and motor is a singleacting air motor, while the air motor 171 is double-acting. The air motor 170 is operable to effect movement of the rod member 65 in a throw-off direction, and when energized effects movement of the rod member 65 in a direction to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, so as to effect actuation of the mechanism 40 to effect throwing off ofthe blanket cylinder of the printing unit 11.

The double-acting air motor 171 is operable to render the mechanism 110, which is operable to effect operation of the mechanism 90 for throwing off the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12 upon throwing off of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11, ineffective when the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11 is thrown off by the motor 170. Moreover, the double-acting air motor 171 is operable to effect throw off of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 12 without effecting throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11, Thus, it should be apparent that the motors 170, 171 are operatively associated with the mechanisms described hereinabove so as to effect throw-on and throw-off movements of the blanket cylinders of the printing units 11, 12 independently so that either one or the other, or both, of the blanket cylinders of the printing units 11, 12 may be thrown off, so as to render the printing units 11, 12 ineffective to print on the sheet material being conveyed therethrough.

The air motor 170 is operatively connected with the rod member 65 to effect movement of the rod member 65 to the right upon energization of the air motor 170. The air motor 170 is fixedly supported adjacent the end of the rod member 65 and includes a piston rod 175 connected with a block 176 which, in turn, is connected to the end of the rod member 65. Energization of the air motor 170 effects movement of the rod member 175 to the right, as viewed in H0. 2, and effects corresponding movement of the rod member 65 to the right to effect actuation of the mechanism 40 for throwing off the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11 by moving the plunger 48 to its position shown in FIG. 2.

The air motor 170 is energized upon actuation of a conventional solenoid air valve 177 having a solenoid 177a associated therewith which controls the flow of air from a power source, such as a pump through a conduit 178 to one side of the piston of the air motor 170. The piston and piston rod 175 of the air motor 170 are thus moved to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2 to effect the throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 11. Upon de-energization of the air valve 177 the air pressure on the left side of the piston ofthe air motor 170 is dumped; a suitable spring, not shown, returns the piston to its previous position. The right side of the cylinder of the air motor 170 is provided with a suitable vent 180 with a filter therein so that no dirty air is sucked into the right end of the cylinder upon de-energization of the motor 170.

The motor 171 is a double-acting air motor connected with a power source by a fluid conduit and is controlled by a solenoid valve 185. The solenoid valve 185 is a conventional valve which is operable to vent one side of the cylinder of the air motor 171 and apply pressure to the other side or to vent the other side and apply pressure to the first side of the cylinder to effect movement of a piston member 186 in opposite directions in the air cylinder. The piston member 186 is connected with a piston rod 187. The outer end of the piston rod 187 is connected with the arm of the bell crank member 143 to which the block member 142 is connected. The solenoid air valve 185 includes a first solenoid 190 and a second solenoid 191 for effecting movement of the valve between its positions. Energization of the solenoid 190 effects the application of air pressure to the upper side of the piston member 186 of the air motor 171 and energization of the solenoid 191 effects the application of air pressure to the underside of the piston member 186 of the air motor 171. When neither solenoid is energized, both sides of the piston member 186 are vented so that the piston member 186 may freely move within the cylinder of the air motor without affecting the normal operation of the press.

When the air motor 170 is energized to effect a throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 11, fluid pressure is also applied to the upper side of the piston member 186 in order to hold the actuating member 112 of the interconnecting means 110 and thereby hold the bell crank member 143 from raising movement so as to prevent movement of the block member 142 by the operation ofthe linkage 110. This renders the linkage 110 ineffective to throw off the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12 in response to the throw off of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 11. If it is desired to throw off the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12 by operation of the air motor 171, it is necessary only to energize the solenoid 191, thereby applying air pressure to the underside of the piston member 186. This effects vertical movement of the piston rod 187 and causes sliding movement of the block member 142 on the rod member 141 and causes movement of the bell crank member 143 to effect movement of the push rod 144 to move the plunger member 97 to its off position. Of course, this does not effect actuation of the mechanism 40.

If it is desired to throw on the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12 independently of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 11, it is necessary only to apply air pressure above the piston member 186. In so doing, the piston member 186 will move downwardly causing downward movement of the bell crank 143 and cause movement of the push rod 144 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2, and causes movement of the plunger member 97 to its thrown-on position to effect movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 12 to its thrown-on position. It can be seen, therefore, that from the above description, the motor 170 can be energized to effect throwoff of the blanket cylinder of the printing bnit 11. Moreover, the motor 171 is operable to render the interconnecting means 110 ineffective to throw off the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12 when the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 11 is thrown off by energization of the motor 170. Moreover, the motor 171 may be energized independently of the motor 170 to effect throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12.

As noted above, the throw-on and throwoff movements of the blanket cylinders of the printing at ts 13, 14 are effected by air motors similar to those described in connection with the printing units ll, 12 and which will not be described in detail in view of the similarity in structure.

The solenoid 177a for controlling the valve 177 and the solenoids 190, 191 for controlling the valve 185 are energized upon actuation of the switches for the printing units 11, 12 and similar solenoids 1770, 190, and 191' for units 13, 14 are energized upon actuation of switches for controlling the printing units 13, 14. A particular circuit for energizing the solenoids in response to the closing of the switches 161, 162, 163, 164 is shown in FIG. 5, and the operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be clear from the description of the electrical circuitry shown therein.

As described hereinabove, when the handle 70 of the printing press 10 is moved to its on position, it closes the switch 80. Closing of the switch completes a circuit from the power line 200 through the contacts of the switch 80, conductor 201, and relay 202 to the power line 203. Energization of the relay 202 causes normally open contacts 202-1 of the relay 202 to close. Closing of the contacts 202-1 of the relay 202 performs no function at this time, since they are in circuit with now open contacts. The printing press will operate in its normal fashion with throw-on and throw-off movements of the blanket cylinders in response to the presence or absence of sheets, as described hereinabove. When it is desired, however, to print a proof of the image and color being printed in each of the printing units, or combination of units, it is necessary to render, as described hereinabove, the printing units ineffective except the one or ones in which printing is desired.

If it is desired to throw off the first printing unit 11, switch 161 is moved to its closed position, and the initiate proof switch 165 is closed. Closing of the initiate proof switch 165 completes a circuit from the power line 200 through the normally closed contacts 205 of a relay operated by the photocell 150, conductor 206, normally closed contacts 207l of a relay 207, conductor 208, the contacts of the initiate proof switch 165, conductor 209, and relay 210 connected with the power line 203. At the same time a current flows through an indicator light 211 which is in parallel with the relay 210.

Energization of the relay 210 causes the contacts 210-l, 2l02, and 2l0-3 thereof to close. Closing of contacts 210- 1 provides a holding circuit around the initiate proof switch 165. Closing of the contacts 210-2, 210-3 does not immediately perform any function. However, as the transfer cylinder of the printing unit rotates, a limit switch 220 is closed at a predetermined time in the press cycle. When the limit switch 220 is closed, a circuit is completed from the power line 200 through the now closed contacts 210-2 of the relay 210, conductor 221, now closed contacts of the selector switch 161, now closed contacts of the timing switch 220, conductor 223, and relay 224 to the power line 203.

Energization of the relay 224 causes the relay contacts 224- l and 2242 to close. Closing of contacts 224-1 establishes a holding circuit around switch 220. Closing of the contacts 2242 completes a circuit from the power line 200 through the now closed contacts 202l of the relay 202, conductor 225, contacts 2242 of the relay 224, conductor 226, and solenoid 177a of the solenoid valve 177 to the power line 203. At the same time, a circuit is completed from the power line 200 through the closed contacts 2021, conductor 225, normally closed contacts 230-1 of a relay 230, conductor 231, now closed contacts 210-3 of the relay 210, conductor 232, and solenoid 190 of the solenoid valve 185 to the power line 203. Energization of the solenoid 177a, as described above, causes air pressure to be applied to the left side of the piston member of the fluid motor to cause throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 11. Energization of the solenoid 190 of the valve causes air pressure to be provided on the upper side of the piston 186 of the air motor 171 and, thus, prevents the linkage 110 to effect throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12 in response to throw-off of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 11. Thus, only the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 11 is thrown off. The timing of the actuation of the switch 220 is such that the plunger 48 is pivoted by the motor 170 when the plunger is in a down at rest position and specifically when the dwell portion of cam 60 engages the cam follower on bell crank 58.

if it is desired to throw off the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12, it is necessary to energize the selector switch 162. Energization of the selector switch 162 completes a circuit through the now closed contacts 210-2 of the relay 210, conductor 221, contacts of the switch 162, and contacts of a timing switch 240, which is closed at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation of the press, conductor 241, and relay 230 to the power line 203. Energization of the relay 230 causes the normally closed relay contacts 230-1 to open and the normally open relay contacts 230-2 and 230-3 to close. Closing of contacts 230-2 provides a holding circuit around switch 240. Opening of the relay contacts 230-1 breaks the circuit to the solenoid 190 of the solenoid valve, described hereinabove, while closing of the relay contacts 230-3 of the relay 230 completes a circuit from the power line 200 through the now closed contacts 202-1 of the relay 202, conductor 225, now closed contacts 230-3 of the relay 230, conductor 245, solenoid 191 of the air valve 185, and conductor 246 to the power line 203. Energization of the solenoid 191 and deenergization of the solenoid 190 of the valve 185, of course, as described hereinabove, causes the application of air pressure to the underside of the piston member 186 of the air motor 171 and causes the actuation of the mechanism 90 for moving the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12 to its thrown-off position.

It should be apparent from the above description that both the switches 161, 162 may be energized at identical times in the operation of the press and that the circuits described hereinabove in connection with these switches may be operated to effect throw-off of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 11, and the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12. Moreover, only the blanket cylinder 16 of the printing unit 12 may be thrown off, if desired, by closing only switch 162. Thus, all of the blanket cylinders of these printing units may be thrown off or either one or the other may be thrown off independently.

1n the event that it is desired to throw off the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 13 or of the printing unit 14, it is necessary only to close the switches 163, or 164 which completes circuits similar to those described hereinabove in connection with the switches 161 and 162. Closing of the switch 163 completes a circuit through the now closed contacts 210-2 of the relay 210, conductor 221, closed contacts of the control switch 163, closed contacts of a press timing switch 250, conductor 251, and relay 252 to the power line 203. Energization of the relay 252 causes relay holding contacts 252-1 thereof to be closed permitting opening of the switch 250 without de-energizing the relay 252. Energization of the relay 252 also causes relay contacts 252-2 to close. Closing of the relay contacts 252-2 completes a circuit through the now closed photocell contacts 205, conductor 206, now closed contacts 252-2 of the relay 252, conductor 255 and solenoid 177a corresponding with the solenoid 177 of the printing unit 11, and conductor 256 to the power line 203. Energization of the solenoid 177a, of course, energizes the motor corresponding with the motor 170 of the printing unit 11 to effect throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 13. At the same time, a circuit is completed through the photocell control contacts 205, conductor 206, now closed contacts 260-2 of a relay 260, conductor 261, now closed contacts 210-3 of the relay 210, conductor 262, and solenoid 190 corresponding with the solenoid 190 of the unit 12 to power line 203. This causes air to be applied to the upper side of the motor corresponding with the motor 171 to prevent throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 14 in response to and in sequence with the throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 13.

Throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 14 may be effected, as in the case of printing unit 12, upon actuation of a separate switch, namely, the switch 164.

Closing of the switch 164 completes a circuit through the now closed contacts 210-2 of the relay 210, conductor 221, now closed contacts of the switch 164, closed contacts of a timing switch 270 when the timing switch 270 closes, conductor 271, and relay 260 to the power line 203. Energization of the relay 260 causes relay contacts 260-1 thereof to close providing a holding circuit around the timing switch 270.

The energization of the relay 260 also causes relay contact 260-2 to open breaking the circuit to the solenoid 190 and causes the relay contacts 260-3 to close. Closing of the relay contacts 260-3 completes a circuit through the photocell control contacts 205, conductor 206, now closed contacts 260-3 of the relay 260, conductor 272, and solenoid 191' to the power line 203. Energization of the solenoid 191' causes the air to be applied to the underside of the piston member of the motor of the unit 14 corresponding with the motor 171 of the unit 12 to effect throw off of the blanket cylinder of the unit 14. Throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder of the unit 14, of course, may be effected independently of or at the same time as throw-off movement of the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 13 in the same manner as that described hereinabove in connection with the printing units 11 and 12.

In the event that the operator is running progressive proofs with certain of the blanket cylinders of the printing units in their thrown-off or non-printing positions and the printing press senses the absence of a sheet, it should be clear that if the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 1 1 is not in its thrownoff position, it will be immediately thrown off to its non-printing position. If the blanket cylinder of the printing unit 12 is not in its thrown-off position, it will likewise be moved to its thrown-off position. This is effected due to the fact that when no sheet is present, the latch, noted above, for the handle 70 is released and switch is opened. This de-energizes relay 202, opening relay contacts 202-1 which immediately de-energizes the solenoids 177a, 190, or 191, whichever may be energized.

When the photocell senses the absence of a sheet, the photocell contacts 205 open, thus rendering throw-off of the blanket cylinders of the printing units 13 and 14 ineffective and de-energizing solenoids 177a, 191', whichever may be energized. The solenoid 151 will also be de-energized causing throw-off of the printing units 13 and 14 in sequence. When the printing unit 14 is moved to its thrown-off position, a switch 280 is closed causing energization of the relay 207. Energization of the relay 207 causes the relay contacts 207-l to open preventing the energization of the relay 210 upon closing of the initiate proof switch 165. Thus, the proof control is rendered inoperative when no sheet is fed to the press, and thus it is necessary to again actuate the control switches to obtain any progressive proofs when the sheet material is restored.

From the above, it can be seen that the printing press operator standing at the delivery station or operator's station, if a control panel is provided at both stations, may actuate the printing press 10 to effect throw-off of the blanket cylinder of any one or of all of the printing units so as to provide a proof of the color and image printed in each of the individual printing units or combination of units.

In accordance with the present invention, the described printing press may be operated under the control of a coded information member to automatically effect proofing when a desired number of proofs are to be made for various printing units or combinations of printing units with the units being automatically thrown on and off during the proofing operation to effect the delivery of the required number of sheets for each proof. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, an information carrying member 300 for controlling the proofing of the press is a tape which is moved through a sensing unit in the form of a tape reader 301 in timed relationship to the press speed. As illustrated in FIG. 7 an electromagnetic clutch 302 is energizable to connect a clutch input shaft 303 with a clutch output shaft 305. The output shaft 305 is connected to a drive sprocket 305 for pulling the tape 300 through the sensing unit 301 while the input shaft 303 is driven from the press in synchronism therewith.

The coded information member 300 has, in the illustrated embodiment, nine columns extending longitudinally thereof. The tape is illustrated in FIG. 6 and columns 1 and 2 contain coded information dictating whether the printing unit 11 is to be on or off. Columns 3 and 4 contain coded information indicating whether printing unit 12 is to be on or 011', columns 5 and 6 contain information indicating whether printing unit 13 is to be on or off, and columns 7 and 8 contain information with respect to the on or off condition of the printing unit 14. Column 9 indicates whether or not a test sheet is to be delivered to the operator. An opening in a column indicates that the function ascribed to the column is to exist or be performed if it does not exist. The coded information member is read by a row of photo-electric sensing devices which are designated by the reference numerals 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 and 318 for the columns 1-9 respectively and which are arranged in a row extending transversely of the tape at a tape reading line. The tape is coded in transverse rows so that the photo-electric sensing devices 310-318 are adapted to read punched openings in a transverse row to control the on or off condition of the respective units. If the printing unit 11 is to be off or thrown off, an opening will appear in column 1 of the row, if the printing unit 11 is to be on or thrown on an opening will-appear in column 2 of the row. The code for the other units is similar as will be apparent from viewing FIG. 6. If a test sheet is to be delivered, an opening appears in column 9 to initiate the test sheet delivery.

The tape is coded so that there are no openings in the rows as they pass the sensing units 310-317 until a change in the condition in the printing units is to be effective. The press, therefore, will operate to print a number of sheets determined by the spacing between the rows of the tape containing information dictating different combinations of printing units. If ten sheets are to be printed of a proof, there will be a length of tape between the code which sets the press to print the proof for which ten sheets are desired and the next proofing code without any coded indicia in columns 1-8, although an opening may appear in column 9 to command the delivery of a test sheet. As indicated in FIG. 6 each time a change is to be made in the condition of the printing units, there is preferably an opening which indicates the condition of each printing unit. Consequently, the punched tape tells each printing unit the printing condition in which it is to be set or remain set in order to obtain the desired proof. However, openings might appear only in those columns where the condition of a printing unit is to be changed. This would require that the tape be prepared with reference to the next preceding proof while if the conditions of all units are punched each time a change is made, the condition of the units for the preceding proof is immaterial.

The sensing devices 310-317 for reading the tape control latching relays 330, 331, 332, 333 for the printing units 11, 12, 13, and 14 respectively. The relay 330 has a latching coil 330L which is adapted to latch in the relay 330 to close normally open contacts 330-1 around the manual proofing switch 161 to cause the energization of the relay 224 to close its contacts 224-2 to effect an energization of the solenoid 177a to throw the first unit off as hereinbefore described, if it is not so set, when the sensing device 310 senses an opening in column 1 of the tape. When the sensing device 311 senses an opening in column 2 of the tape, an unlatching coil 330U of the relay 330 is energized to unlatch the relay to cause the contacts 330-l to open and to effect de-energization on the next operation of the timing switch 220 of the solenoid 1770 to cause the first printing unit to go on if it is not already so set.

The latching relay 331 for controlling the printing unit 12 has a latching coil 331L which, when energized by the sensing of an opening in column 3 of the tape by the sensing device 312, causes the relay 331 to latch in to close normally open contacts 331-l around the proofing switch 162 for the printing unit 12 to effect energization of the relay 230 to close its contacts 230-3 and to open its contacts 230-1 to supply fluid pressure to the solenoid 191 to effect a throwing off of the printing unit 12 and to open its contacts 230-1 in the circuit for energizing solenoid 190 to effect a de-energization of that solenoid which when energized supplies fluid pressure to cylinder or motor 171 to hold the printing unit on.

The relay 331 also has an unlatch coil 331U which is energized when the sensing device 313 senses an opening in column 4 of the tape to unlatch the relay 331 to open contacts 331-2 to cause the relay 230 to be de-energized on the next operation of timing switch 240 to throw printing unit 12 back on by de-energizing solenoid 191 and energizing solenoid 190.

The relay 332 similarly has a latching coil 332L which is energized when the sensing device 314 reads an opening in column 5 of the tape to close contacts 332-1 around the proofing switch 163 to effect energization of the relay 252 to close its contacts 252-2 to energize the solenoid 177a to effect a throwing off of printing unit 13. The relay 332 also has an unlatch coil 332U which is energized when the sensing device 315 reads an opening in column 6 of the tape. This effects an opening of the contacts 332-1 to effect a de-energization of the relay 252 upon the next operation of the timing switch 250 to again effect the throw on of the printing unit 13 as hereinbefore described.

Similarly, relay 333 for controlling the printing unit 14 has a latching coil 3331. which is energized when the sensing device 316 senses an opening in column 7 of the tape to close contacts 333-1 around the proofing switch 164 to energize the relay 260 to in turn close its contacts 260-3 to supply fluid pressure to the solenoid 191' for effecting a throw off of the printing unit 14 and to open its contacts 260-2 in the circuit for energizing the solenoid coil 190'. The relay 260 is de-energized to effect the de-energization of the solenoid 191 and an energization of the solenoid 190' when the sensing device 317 next senses an opening in column 8 of the tape to energize unlatch coil 334U of the relay 333 to open its contacts 333-1 around the proofing switch 164. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the latching relays 330, 331, 332 and 333 have contacts which effectively parallel the proofing switches 161, 162, 163, 164 respectively to effect a proofing operation in the same manner as when the switches 161-164 are operated. It will be noted that to effect a proofing operation, it is necessary that the relay 210 be energized to provide closed circuits for energizing the on solenoids 190, 191' to hold these units on in the event the preceding units are thrown off. The relay 210 is energized by the closing of contacts 334P-1 of an automatic proofing relay 334?, which contacts are connected in parallel with the proofing initiate switch 165. Consequently, the contacts of the relay 210 are closed when the proofing relay 334P is energized to enable the latching relays 330, 331, 332, 333 to effect proofing by parallelling the operation of the proofing switches 161, 162, 163, 164 respectively.

When it is desired to effect an automatic proofing operation, the feeder handle is first thrown to start feeding of the sheets to the printing press and to close switch to energize relay 202 to close its contacts 201-1. As hereinbefore explained, the closing of the contacts 202-1 closes a circuit for supplying power to the control circuits for the solenoids for controlling the air cylinders for the first printing units 11 and 12. After the feeding of sheets has been started, an automatic proof initiate switch 335 is closed to energize relay 334? to close its contacts 334P-1 and its contacts 334P-2. The contacts 334P-2 energize the clutch 302 to drive the tape reader 301 as a direct function of the speed of the press. The closing of the contacts 321P-1 energizes the relay 210 which closes its contacts 210-3 in the circuits for energizing the solenoids 190, 191 which supply air for holding the printing units 12 and 14 in their on condition. The units 13 and 14 normally are held on, unless overridden by the proofing control, by the feeder handle and the photo-electric sheet sensing device 150.

The proofing switch 335 is thrown after sheets have been fed to assure that the printing unit 12 does not come on in response to the closing of the contacts 210-3 before a sheet is present in the printing unit. As the initial sheets proceed started. After that, the printing units will be turned on and off as the sensing devices 310-317 read successive rows containing coded information and effect a closing or opening of the contacts of the latching relays 330-333 to duplicate the operation of the proofing switches 161, 162, 163, 164 respectively in an automatic manner. Since the tape is fed a predetermined distance for each sheet fed, the spacing between the rows determines the number of sheets for each proofing combination and the required number of proofing sheets for each combination and the required combination of proofing sheets to be quickly obtained with a minimum of sheet loss and in a very quick and facile manner.

During a proofing operation, a test sheet may be delivered in response to the sensing device 318 sensing an opening in column 9 of the tape. When the sensing device 318 senses an opening, it energizes a relay 340 for initiating the lifting of a cam 344 which normally operates the gripper assemblies on the chain delivery and effects the dropping of the sheet at the pile hoist. When the cam 344 is lifted, the next sheet is carried along the return path of the chain delivery to the operators station and is released by cam 344a. The construction of a delivery mechanism of the type shown in FIG. 1 where a test sheet may be delivered to an operator's station is shown and described in detail in US. Pat. No. 3,191,928, issued to Richard P. Neiden and Jerome D. Solgos on June 29, 1965.

The sensing device 318 operates in response to an opening in the tape to energize the relay 340 which has contacts 340- -1 for energizing a solenoid 351 having its armature connected to rotate the cam 344 out of position for effecting a release of a sheet. A holding circuit for the relay 340 includes its contacts 340-2 and a normally closed switch 354 which is located so as to be actuated by a gripper assembly shortly after passing the cam 344 to return the cam 344 to its normal posi tion. The holes in column 9 are located so that the cam 344 is operated as the gripper assembly with the sheet to be delivered to the operators station P approaches the cam 344.

While the disclosed embodiment includes a tape which is driven in timed relationship to the speed of the press, it will be understood that the coded indicia may be in various forms including punched cards which are fed in timed relationship to the operation of the press. Moreover, instead of effecting a feeding of a tape or punch cards or other coded information member in timed relationship to the operation of the press, the punch card or information member may not only determine the unit or units which are to print, but may also have coded indicia which thereon sets a counter each time to determine the number of sheets to be printed and when the counter has counted the necessary sheets, the information on the next card or tape block used to control the printing press. Buffer storages for the coded information may be set in accordance with the indicia on the card dictating the next proofing operation while a proofing is being effected to provide a minimum of time loss between settings or separate counters or two card or tape reading mechanisms can be used with the mechanisms alternately controlling the press. In such a system, the reading mechanism not controlling the machines reads the next proofing command and sets the corresponding counter so as to be ready for the next proofing operation.

FIG. 9 illustrates a system embodying two punch card readers and counters. The card readers 500a, 50022 are adapted to read cards having coded indicia thereon for indicating the setting of the relays 330-333 indicated in FIG. 5A by the block 502. The cards also have coded indicia thereon, preferably in binary form for setting sheet counters 504a, 5041: which are adapted to count the number of sheets which are printed. The counters are each set from the respective card reader to provide an output signal on a connection to an OR gate 520 when a desired number of sheets are counted.

The electrical signals from the card readers 500a, 5001: for controlling the relays 330-333 are applied through respective gating networks 505a, 505b to the relays 330-333 so that each card reader controls the electrical condition of the relay only when the corresponding gating network is conditioned to pass the signals from the reader. Only one of the card readers 500a, 5001; is effective at a given time to control the relays 330-333. The gating networks 505a, 505b are controlled by a bistable multi-vibrator circuit 508 which when in one condition applies a gating signal to gates 505a while in the other condition applies a gating signal to the gates 505b. The gating signal conditions the network to which it is applied to pass signals to the latching and unlatching coils to the relays 330- -333. The multi-vibrator 508 also controls gates 510a, 510b for controlling the application of sheet counting pulses to the counters 504a, 504b. When the multi-vibrator 508 is set to condition the gates 505a from the card reader 500a, it also conditions the gate 510a to apply pulses to the pulse counter 504a and when set to condition the gates 505b it also conditions gate 51011 to pass pulses to counter 504b.

Sheet counting pulses for counting the sheets printed are derived from a wheel 511 which rotates in timed relation to the press and controls the passage of light from a lamp 512 to a photo-responsive device 513 which produces a pulse signal each time a slot in the wheel 511 allows the lamp 512 to shine on the photo device 513. One such pulse is produced for each sheet fed to the printing press. One of the counters counts the sheet pulses and initiates the next proofing operation after a perdetermined number of sheets.

The proofing operation is started by reading a punched card with card reader 500a which sets the relays 330-333 and the counter 504a to effect a proofing of a desired combination of printing units for a predetermined number of sheets. The multi-vibrator 508 has a reset terminal to which a signal can be applied at the start of the proofing operation to condition the card reader 500a to be effective. While the proofing is being accomplished under the control of reader 500a the next card is fed into position in the card reader 50%. This card may be the first card in the stack initially positioned in the card reader 50010. When the sheet counter 504a receives sheet pulses in accordance with the setting dictated by reader 500a, an output signal occurs on an output 517a from the counter 5040 which is applied through the gate 520 to trigger the multivibrator 508 to change its condition to render the gating network 505b and the pulse counter 504b effective and the gating network 505a and counter 504!) ineffective. The gating network 505b effects the setting of the relays 330-333 in accordance with the card reader 510b so that the printing units are set in accordance with the intelligence in the card reader 5001;. The gating signal from the multi-vibrator 508 for rendering the reader 5001; effective to control the proofing is also applied to the indexing terminal 521a of the card reader 500a to initiate the indexing of the card reader to read the next card to set the counter 504a in accordance with the reader and to apply electrical signals to the gates 505a which are not ineffective to pass the signals to the relays 330-333. When the counter 504); receives the number of pulses from the wheel 511 corresponding to the setting in the counter, an output signal appears on its output 51711 which is applied through the gate 520 to the multi-vibrator 508 to switch the control of the proofing back to the card reader 500a and the cycle is repeated. The gating signal to the gates 505a is also applied to an index terminal 52112 of the card reader 50% to index the card reader to read the next card and to set the counter 50 4b to the next combination and to establish electrical signals to the gates 505b for controlling the relays 330- 333 during the next proofing operation.

It can now be seen that the present invention provides a new and improved printing press and control system therefor in which the press is automatically operated to provide desired proof sheets.

We a m; .i

1. A multicolor sheet-fed offset printing press comprising at least first and second printing units each of which includes a blanket cylinder and an impression cylinder, said blanket cylinder of each of said units being movable relative to said impression cylinder of its respective unit between printing and non-printing positions, said impression cylinders of each of said units having sheet-engaging gripper means thereon for engaging a sheet and conveying the sheet through a printing nip formed by said blanket and impression cylinders of the respective units, transfer means for receiving the sheets from said gripper means located on said impression cylinder of said first printing unit and for transferring the sheets to said gripper means located on said impression cylinder of said second printing unit, said units being operable to print in register a multicolor image on a sheet advanced therethrough when said blanket cylinder of each of said units is in a printing position, cylinder control means associated with each printing unit for effecting movement of said blanket cylinder of each respective unit between printing and non-printing positions while sheets are advancing through the press, each of said cylinder control means being independently actuatable to actuate its associated blanket cylinder from a printing position to a nonprinting position and from a non-printing position to a printing position independently of the position of the blanket cylinder of the other printing unit, proofing control means for actuating said cylinder control means associated with each printing unit to selectively move the blanket cylinder of each of said printing units to a printing position so as to print said multicolored image on sheets advancing through said units or to selectively move the blanket cylinder of either said first or second unit to its non-printing position so as to print only in one unit a single colored image on sheets advancing through said units, said proofing control means including signalproducing means for establishing control signals which indicate a desired printing or non-printing position for said blanket cylinder of each of said printing units, said signal-producing means including a coded intelligence-carrying member and a means for reading the intelligence on said member and providing a control signal in accordance with said coded intelligence on said member, and means responsive to said signals for actuating said cylinder control means of each of said units which are not in the desired position indicated by said signalproducing means to effect a change in the position of said blanket cylinder of said units which are not in said desired position to said desired position while sheets are advancing through said units.

2. A multicolor sheet-fed offset printing press as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal-producing means indicates the desired printing or non-printing position of said blanket cylinders'of all of said units each time a change in the position of one of said blanket cylinders of any of the units is to be made and an individual signal exists for each unit.

' 3. A multicolor sheet-fed offset printing press as defined in claim 1 further including means for initiating a change in the position of the blanket cylinder of at least one of said printing units upon a predetermined number of sheets being printed for each setting of said units.

4. A multicolor sheet-fed offset printing press as defined in claim 1 wherein said coded intelligence-carrying member indicates the number of sheets to be printed for each setting of the blanket cylinders of the units.

5. A multicolor sheet-fed offset printing press as defined in claim 1 further including a sheet counter for counting sheets and actuating at least one of said cylinder control means upon a predetermined number of sheets being counted to thereby effect a change in the position of the blanket cylinder of at least one of said units and said coded intelligence-carrying member indicates the desired position of said blanket cylinder of each of said printing units and the number of sheets to be printed from each proof.

6. A multicolor sheet-fed offset printing press as defined in claim 1 wherein said cylinder control means includes a plurality of relays for controlling the position of said blanket cylinders of each of said printing units A multicolors heet-fed offset sheet printing press as defined in claim 1 wherein said intelligence carrying member indicates the number of sheets to be printed for each proof and further including a sheet counter for counting sheets and means for feeding said intelligence carrying member to said means for reading the intelligence on said member so that said intelligence carrying member is sequentially fed through said means for reading the intelligence on said member in an incremental fashion in response to said counter counting the number of sheets to be printed for each proof. 

